An impressive showing in one prestigious sailing race has propelled Andrew Lewis into the most famous yacht race of all: The America's Cup.

Lewis, less than a month removed from the grueling Volvo Ocean Race, has been selected to sail for Sweden's Victory Challenge in the world-renowned Cup.

"It's nice turning this into a career," Lewis said. "I'll be 24 with two pretty impressive things on my resumE. It's a jump for my career in sailing."

The selection is an honor for Lewis, who turns 24 on July 23 and is "for sure, the youngest one doing the America's Cup," the Honolulu native said.

First up in the America's Cup is the Louis Vuitton Cup, a series of qualifying trials that runs next year from April 18 through June 12. Challengers face off to determine who will race 2002-03 winner Switzerland's Alinghi in the 32nd America's Cup Match from June 23 through July 7.

Lewis will speak at the Waikiki Yacht Club tomorrow at 6 p.m.

He was recruited as "a last-minute guy, hired late because he was doing the Volvo," he said.

Lewis, a 2001 ASSETS graduate, returned to Hawai'i last month from the finale of the seven-month-long Volvo Ocean Race, a 32,000-mile yacht race that traversed the globe. He was a crew member of ABN AMRO TWO, which finished fourth out of seven boats.

On the ABN AMRO TWO, Lewis served as the crew's tactician, responsible for making all of the tactical decisions on board during the in-shore races, new to the Volvo Ocean Race this year.

He will handle a similar position with the Victory Challenge.

"It's a huge honor, and you don't normally just step into it. Most guys are over 30," he said. "Especially for what I'll be doing. I'll be in the back of the boat, the after guard position. I'll be talking a bit, strategizing, working with helmsman, navigator, tactician and strategist. I'll be working with the guys making the decisions."

Because of his hire by the Victory Challenge, Lewis, who tried to qualify for the 2004 Olympics but finished third at the U.S. trials, said his bid for the 2008 Olympics would have to be pushed back to 2012.

"I did the four-year campaign (for 2004) and I knew how much work went into it. I didn't think I had it in me," he said. "Only have a year and a half (until 2008 qualifying) and I didn't feel I could get myself into shape."

His next attempt for the 2012 Olympics should be a lot easier, with sponsors already in place because of his growing professional career.

In a couple of weeks, Lewis will travel to Valencia, Spain, where he will live while training with his team.

For now, he will occupy his time by windsurfing near Diamond Head and sailing in waters off Honolulu, before heading to Marina Del Rey, Calif., to coach two Canadian girls in a race.

It is his way of reconnecting with the sport he grew up loving.

"I still enjoy sailing," Lewis said. "It's one thing that is really important to me. I'm so lucky to get paid for it."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.